The Red Witch Factotum Suboctave Bass Drive is an analog stompbox for bass that combines two effects in one enclosure: a suboctave generator and an overdrive. Each effect has its own footswitch, so you can run the suboctave alone, the overdrive alone, or both stacked, and independent mix knobs for the two tones let you blend them into a highly customized sound1. It sits in the overlap between octave and pitch pedals and overdrive pedals, aimed squarely at bass players.
What it does to your sound
The suboctave produces a thick, synth-like sound underneath your playing. Premier Guitar's reviewer relished its girth and body, even at relatively dry mix settings1.
The overdrive, used on its own, is described as punchy and vibrant, somewhat reminiscent of the MXR Bass Overdrive. With the tone and drive knobs cranked, the reviewer found it heavy and deep, with none of the thinness or deterioration that can plague some similar pedals, and judged it strong enough to warrant its own pedal, suitable for rock, metal, and alternative riffs1.
With both effects engaged and octave mix, drive mix, tone and drive all raised to 3 o'clock, the reviewer's verdict was blunt1:
"With octave mix, drive mix, tone, and drive all raised to 3 o'clock, the result is mighty, monstrous, even."
Controls
The chrome-plated pedal is simple to use, with individual footswitches activating each effect1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Octave mix | Blends the suboctave with your dry signal |
| D mix | Blends the overdrive into the sound |
| D tone | Determines the high/low balance |
| D volume | Master output control |
| Drive | Sets the overdrive amount |
The mix, tone, volume and drive knobs are inactive when the overdrive is bypassed1.
A color-coded LED shows what is engaged at a glance:
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's review (August 2021) listed the pros as two excellent effects, no low-end loss, lots of control, a sturdy build and easy use. The cons were the price and one practical caution: it can push amps too hard if you're not careful1.
"It's extremely simple to use and doesn't suffer from any low-end loss. It'll cost you some buck, but there's nothing else on the market quite like it."
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Questions
Is the Red Witch Factotum analog or digital?
It is analog. Premier Guitar's review describes the Factotum as one analog stompbox that provides independent suboctave and overdrive, so both effects run in the analog domain rather than through digital processing.
Can I use the suboctave and overdrive separately?
Yes. The Factotum has individual footswitches for the suboctave and the overdrive, so you can run either effect on its own or both together. Note that the overdrive's mix, tone, volume and drive knobs are inactive when the overdrive is bypassed.
What do the blue, red and purple LED colors mean?
The LED is color-coded to show what is engaged: blue when the suboctave is on, red when the overdrive is active, and purple when both effects are running at once.
Where is Red Witch based?
Red Witch is based in New Zealand. Premier Guitar's review introduces the Factotum as a new offering from New Zealand's Red Witch.
How much does the Red Witch Factotum cost in the US?
Premier Guitar's August 2021 review lists a US street price of $349. The reviewer called it pricey but noted there was nothing else on the market quite like it at the time.
Sources (1)
- Red Witch Factotum Suboctave Bass Drive Review, Premier Guitar, 2015-02-02
